Erdogan Spokesman Attacks Schiff

WASHINGTON—After speaking out about the recent Turkish elections, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) was attacked on Tuesday by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin. Schiff has consistently called out President Erdoğan and the erosion of democratic checks and balances in Turkey under his increasingly autocratic rule.

On Monday, Schiff Tweeted a message directed at the Trump Administration, which has a tendency to disregard the advice of advisors by congratulating authoritarian leaders upon their “reelection” and ignoring their blatant attacks on democracy:

“Erdoğan “won” reelection in Turkey this weekend only by decimating the opposition through arrests, violence and squashing freedom of the press,” said Schiff in his Twitter post. “Turkey’s descent into autocracy is another reminder that democracy is under assault worldwide. DO NOT CONGRATULATE.”

Erdogan “won” reelection in Turkey this weekend only by decimating the opposition through arrests, violence and squashing freedom of the press.

Turkey's descent into autocracy is another reminder that democracy is under assault worldwide.

In response to Kalin’s tweet, Schiff said, “A fitting response from Erdoğan’s spokesman to criticism that the Turkish Leader is trying to silence his critics. Thanks, Mr. Kalin, for such swift proof of my point.”

Schiff has consistently spoken out against the rise of authoritarianism around the world and has specifically condemned Turkey’s swift descent in recent years, including before its most recent election this year.

Discussion Policy

Comments are welcomed and encouraged. Though you are fully responsible for the content you post, comments that include profanity, personal attacks or other inappropriate material will not be permitted. Asbarez reserves the right to block users who violate any of our posting standards and policies.

10 Comments

Too bad the Washington DC beating incident was eventually swept under the WH rug. That alone shows the amount of sway Turkey and its allies hold on US foreign policy. US citizen exercising their first amendment right on US soil and in the US capital only to be attacked by foreign agents and nothing is done about it. Not a peep from anyone. You can’t make this stuff up!

Too bad the Washington DC beating incident was eventually swept under the WH rug. That alone shows the amount of sway Turkey and its allies hold on US foreign policy. US citizens exercising their first amendment right on US soil and in the US capital only to be attacked by foreign agents and nothing is done about it. Not a peep from anyone. You can’t make this stuff up!

This White House, who is in bed with Turkey and Azerbaijan, because of business dealings including hotels, of course will not condemn them. The rights of lawful American citizens demonstrating on our soil, were beaten, kicked and blooded, and not one peep out of our President. Congress to it’s credit did try and hold the perpetrators responsible. Where did it go, like you said, swept under the WH carpet…

Excellent proof that the Western World was right to conquer the world , set up colonies and try to civilize the rest. And the US was wrong to force its allies to prematurely grant independence. If not, they would all still practice cannibalism. In fact, most still do, but it’s now a delicacy.

Once again thank you congressman Adam Schiff for your integrity and leadership that is so sorely lacking in the United States today. As for Mr. Erdogan. You think you have “Cart Blanche”, and you are free wheeling. Wait until that last straw where the US decides they really don’t need you anymore. Remember Noriega, Marcos, Saddam Hussain, Ossama Bin Ladin and many others who got tossed out like yesterday’s without as much as a flinch. And Mr. Erdogan your people will not even be as kind to you as to just remove you from office…

Thank you Congress Schiff for your courage and honesty. Your words always give me a sense of hope and strength. Knowing there are still some brave and decent people working for the greater good encourages me to keep the faith that goodness will prevail in these dark times.

Latest

As a reader who had the chance to read the manuscript before publication, I thank Paul Chaderjian for letting me into the world of “Adam Terzian,” a world in which the past, the present, and the future co-exist in conflict

Most Popular

As a reader who had the chance to read the manuscript before publication, I thank Paul Chaderjian for letting me into the world of “Adam Terzian,” a world in which the past, the present, and the future co-exist in conflict